Urban Square: Kohaku no Tsuigeki

Urban Square: Kohaku no Tsuigeki was produced by the Network Frontier Division and released as an original video animation in 1986. Emerging during the burgeoning OAV market of the mid-1980s, the production sought to capitalize on the period's fascination with hardboiled detective tropes blended with urban mystery elements. It was positioned as a stylish, self-contained noir narrative intended for an adult audience seeking sophisticated animation aesthetics beyond the typical television serials of the time.

The character designs were handled by Toshihiro Kawamoto, whose work on this project reflects the sharp, angular aesthetic common in mid-80s animation. The visual style leans into the moody, neon-soaked atmosphere of a bustling metropolis, emphasizing long shadows and dramatic lighting to evoke a classic detective film sensibility. While the project is often viewed as a stylistic snapshot of its era, it is primarily remembered by animation enthusiasts as an early example of Kawamoto's evolving talent before he became a prominent figure in the industry.